Read the new Reacher, 'A Wanted Man,' in about 4 days. Hey, it ain't high literature, but Mr. Child has now mastered the art of un-put-downed-ness: interesting protagonist, short chapters, vertical fall of a plot, lots of action. Had four of his books to get signed, and a long line behind me, so I never did have the time to ask Child about casting Tom Cruise as Reacher. I'm guessing Cruise's production company offered Child a 2-foot stack of thousands.

Read the new Reacher, 'A Wanted Man,' in about 4 days. Hey, it ain't high literature, but Mr. Child has now mastered the art of un-put-downed-ness: interesting protagonist, short chapters, vertical fall of a plot, lots of action. Had four of his books to get signed, and a long line behind me, so I never did have the time to ask Child about casting Tom Cruise as Reacher. I'm guessing Cruise's production company offered Child a 2-foot stack of thousands.

Finished City of Bohane by Kevin Barry. Bohane is a dystopian Irish city, some 40 years in the future, and the plot revolves around a badass who returns after 25 years to stir up trouble for the local gangs and one gang leader in particular. But, plot aside, its Barry's writing that makes this book something special. His descriptions, his way with words, and his manner are an easy mish-mash of Irish, street lingo and neologisms, kind of like crossing Clockwork Orange with some Hibernian Trainspotting -ie. 'he had hands on him the size of Belfast sinks.' This guy has a way with language; it just dances. If he keeps this stuff up he'll be going places. Recommended.